FOLLAND FO-141 GNAT
History: The
Fo.141 Gnat was a British all-metal fighter and trainer
designed by Folland to be small and economical, yet capable of high performance.
Derived from the even-more-diminutive Fo.139 Midge prototype, the Gnat possessed
outstanding performance features including a 10,000 foot-per-minute climb rate,
and a roll rate in excess of 360 degrees per second.
The
prototype first flew in 1955, when it demonstrated performance impressive enough
to warrant the manufacture of six test aircraft for the Ministry of Supply.
These aircraft were used in a variety of configurations, including the fitting
of one with two 30mm cannon to test the aircraft's effectiveness in the ground
attack role. However, the British government subsequently lost interest in the
Gnat as a possible fighter, deciding instead to employ it as an advanced
two-place trainer.
Two
Gnats were also sold to Yugoslavia, but the bulk of sales went to India, which
purchased 40 airframes in various stages of completion and, under license, built
175 of the aircraft at the Hindustani Aircraft facilities at Bangalore as the Gnat
Mk.II "Ajeet." During the 1965 war with Pakistan, the
Gnat is credited with downing seven Pakistani F-86
(Sabre) aircraft.
Nicknames:
Pocket Fighter; Sabre Slayer (India)
Specifications:
Engine: One 4,230-pound thrust Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 100 turbojet
Weight: Empty 5,140 lbs., Max Takeoff 8,630 lbs.
Wing Span: 24ft. 0in.
Length: 31ft. 9in.
Height: 9ft. 7.5in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed at 31,000 ft: 636 mph
Ceiling: 48,000 ft.
Range: 1,151 miles with two 300-liter under wing tanks
Armament: None
Number Built:
105 Number Still
Airworthy: Approximately 10 in private ownership